*A few millennia ago...or even more if one considers an atypical time flow in the Underworld*

There he was. The infamous Lord of Death. A god and a ruler of the Underworld.

Holding his battle scepter and prepared to act if needed, Hades stood at the edge of the realm he commanded with an iron fist, studying a newcomer who had disturbed his peaceful day.

"To enter my domain fully alive and without my explicit invitation...you must be very brave," he uttered coldly, though his voice held a fraction of amusement towards the end of the sentence, "or very foolish."

Hades could feel the power seeping from the creature which was nonchalantly standing in front of him. As far as he could tell it was a male. A male belonging to a newly formed pantheon which managed to gain lots of followers in one of the human populated realms. A pantheon was a too strong word for that. It was more of a group of beings that managed to make humans empower them with a strength of belief. That was how they became a prominent figure in dominating dimensions.

The male before him had hair black as a charcoal and electrifying blue eyes. Also, he had a pair of gigantic white wings lined with glittering gold veins.

"Lord of the Underworld, you don't have to worry. I am here to make a proposition." The male smirked at Hades. "Shall we make ourselves comfortable for negotiations? I'll offer you a deal you might even like."

Hades narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "If you are arrogant enough to stand in front of me and propose any kind of deal before introducing yourself, you may leave immediately. Or I will make you."

The male's smirk grew into a full-blown smile teetering on maniacal, just as diabolical as the look that entered his eyes.

"You may call me Lucifer...Lucifer, The Lightbringer."

***

Sitting on the throne while leaning the head on his left arm, Hades appeared just as regal as any of his brothers. He observed the unsanctioned visitor of what he has called home for the last few epochs. The black-haired male inspected the chamber with what seemed to be a mix of curiosity and amazement. Hades left him to stand, no need to offer a place to sit to an intruder. What could he offer me? His head on a plate. That would be most satisfying–

The interruption came in form of amused speech. "Quite impressive. The throne room is just like I imagined it would be. Where's your pet? The Cerebrus?"

Hades raised one perfectly sculptured brow. "Are you trying to win some favors with me? Or just delaying your painful end in a futile attempt?"

Lucifer just waived his hand absently, still inspecting the room. "So feisty and you didn't even hear what I have to say." The cheerful voice did nothing but irritate Hades.

"Oh, do enlighten me." The tone Hades used seemed mocking and harsh but behind that charade grew a genuine curiosity.

Hades almost reacted aggressively and barely stopped in grabbing a weapon when Lucifer raised his hand and made a motion after which a blue light exploded from his hand. No, not a light. Are those flames?

Blue flames made a chair. Lucifer then sat and made himself comfortable on it.

"The Greek pantheon is losing followers and with that the power they wield, too." Lucifer started.

"I know that." Hades deadpanned. The interruption wasn't acknowledged by a creature resting on a magically forged burning chair, he continued without a hitch.

"Now that angels took over the reins, they need a place for souls. Those idiots who rule my species were still arguing about what they should do when I left. I already have an idea. The idea which will make both mine and your lives easier." He paused, striking Hades with a meaningful look, and those eyes filled with the same flames licking the apparel where his body was propped on a chair.

"A new underworld is not needed. I should just take over this one."

"And why in the name of Styx should I let you?" Hades seemed unimpressed by a suggestion.

That maniacal expression was back on Lucifer's face, even Hades shuddered internally.

"That way you can leave this place whenever you want to. You see, once you're not bound anymore, you can do whatever you want, without repercussions. There is someone you want to meet, right?" That basta...arghh! Lucifer's insinuation of Persephone was wobbling the fine line of Hades' anger, though the only outward sign of his displeasure was the flare of power greater than any member of the Underworld have felt in the last few centuries.

"So, you really came prepared for negotiations." Neither the suffocating blast nor the dry comment made Lucifer cover, he sat there unconcerned, staring at Hades compellingly.

"Indeed. But that's not all. Many benefits would follow. I can tell that about a dozen will be enough for you to accept this offer." Lucifer sounded like he already knew the outcome of these negotiations.

Hades was still a bit irritated with the angel's nerve to enter his domain so confidently, however, he was intrigued by this idea.

"I'm all ears."

***

After listening to all the pros and cons, Hades decided to go with a flow. His brother was losing prominence and other pantheons were chasing their tail. The suggestion was not a bad one. He could still reside here if he wanted to, and Lucifer didn't ask anything in exchange. What hooked him was the ability to travel to other dimensions with his own body and not as a projection he used when needed to. And one other thing. Persephone. He could be with her without reservations and restrictions. This was a bargain of a lifetime.

"You have a deal!" Hades exclaimed.

And Lucifer just smiled.

That was the very first deal one made with whom soon became known as The Devil.